Yanga National Park Yanga Lake Viewing Deck
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Yanga National Park Yanga Lake viewing deck. Photo: D.Finnegan Photo: deck. viewing Lake Yanga Embrace the freedom and From Balranald, take the Sturt Highway east for breathtaking beauty of Yanga 8km before turning south on Old Sturt Highway SAFETY INFORMATION at the Yanga rest area. Once you see the Yanga National Park, just 10km south east As beautiful as they are, river red gums National Park sign, turn left and drive a further are habitat trees known for dropping of Balranald. With a fascinating mix 2km along the main road where you will arrive limbs, so it’s important to be aware of Indigenous cultural heritage and at the Park Office and Homestead. of what’s happening above you. European pioneering history, the TOP EXPERIENCES Park is one of the most accessible Many NSW parks are rugged places, in the state and home to enchanting Yanga Homestead and the Homestead weather can change quickly and conditions in the bush or on the water River Red Gum forests waiting Peninsula Wander through the well-preserved Yanga may be unpredictable. When visiting a to be explored on foot or bike. Homestead and experience an intimate national park, be aware of the risks and Experience an intimate insight into insight into a working pastoralist’s home, take responsibility for your own safety a working pastoralist’s home as you complete with antique table settings, vintage and the safety of any children in your wander through the historic Yanga barometer and hand-wound gramophone — care. Remember to plan ahead, choose your activities to match your stamina Homestead, and breathe in the just a few of the many furnishings that remain intact. Regular ranger-guided tours reveal and fitness level, ensure you take smells of the past in a self-guided more about the lives of the people who lived enough fresh drinking water and food tour through the maze of sheep and worked on the once productive Riverina for your trip, and tell someone where pens in the Yanga Woolshed. property. But if you’d rather take it slow, then you’re going and when you’ll be back. enrich your experience with an audio tour Road conditions can also be hazardous ABOUT THE AREA that guides you at your own pace. when wet. Yanga National Park is one of the state’s newest parks, but the land itself boasts a long and significant history. Yanga is rich with history, ancient River Red Gum forests and waterways teeming with birdlife. It sits in the far southwest of NSW in close proximity to the Victorian border and measures 76,000ha, including over a hundred kilometres of stunning river frontage. Spend your time exploring its lovely picnic spots, walking tracks, cycling trails and historic attractions, or just simply relax by the river. Whether you stay for a day or a week, your experience is sure to be memorable with plenty on offer at Yanga National Park. GETTING THERE Yanga National Park’s Office and Homestead precinct are open 8.30am to 4.30pm every day and are an easy drive from Swan Hill to the South, Mildura to the West and Hay to the East. All other visitor areas are always open, only closing in extreme weather conditions. Yanga Woolshed. Photo: G.Hansford Cooks Cottage beams filtering through the Woolshed. There PARK RULES Learn more about the lives of the people are lots of interesting interpretive boards Camping is free in the river red gum who once lived around the flooded country and the shed comes to life with audiovisual reserves, and there’s no need to book. Just of Yanga in the People-Lake-Country displays showcasing Yanga’s last shearing. pull up your caravan or car and pick a spot exhibition at Cook’s Cottage, which features in the designated campground. Cooking fascinating station memorabilia, photos Woolshed picnic area outdoors is part and parcel of the camping and home movies, as well as accounts from On the banks of the picturesque experience, and it’s a good idea to pack a local characters. This fascinating exhibition Murrumbidgee, the Woolshed Picnic Area gas or liquid fuel stove for your trip. Unlike is located in the homestead precinct is an ideal spot to cast a line and see if the many other bush camping spots, small adjacent to the old tennis court. fish are biting. Surrounded by serenity and lush scenery, it provides great facilities campfires are allowed in the river red gum Yanga Lake walking trail and Bird Hide for a relaxing picnic with family or friends, reserves outside of the solid fuel ban period. An easy 1km walk from the Homestead, including a large covered area with several A solid fuel fire ban applies between the Yanga Lake Walking Trail meanders its picnic tables and gas barbecues. 31 October and 31 March each year. way along the edge of Yanga Lake to the Park management may vary this if local majestic bird hide, where you can spot a Mamanga campground conditions change. variety of migratory birds nestled amongst Set up your campsite surrounded by the serene native bushland and the River Red Gums. If you do have a small campfire, make sure you tranquil seclusion on the banks of the completely extinguish all fires before leaving Regatta Beach Murrumbidgee River. Just past the an area or going to bed. A small amount of Embrace the calm lakeside setting from the woolshed, the campground offers sites for glowing embers can start a bushfire. generous shade of the ancient River Red caravans, camper trailers and tents, and Gums or launch your kayak from the sandy features wood barbecues, picnic tables and Please don’t feed native animals – it shores of Regatta Beach when paddling non-flush toilets (but don’t forget to take can damage their health and make them along the Yanga Lake. With a gentle sandy your own drinking water). Enjoy a paddle dependent on campers for food. To avoid approach to the waters’ edge, it’s perfect or a fish in the river. Try mountain biking to attracting scavengers, store food and for kids and great for swimming and one of the park’s great picnic spots, or stroll garbage in a secure container. boating. Sit back in the calm surrounds as along the floodplain to get a closer look at you enjoy the picnic facilities overlooking the River Red Gums and their bark scarring. Don’t forget, dogs are only allowed in this vast expanse of water. Regional Parks, so best to check before Willows picnic area and campground you bring Fido along for the ride! Yanga Woolshed For a more secluded spot why not visit the A wonderful place to wander through in the Willows? Located 25km east of Balranald afternoon, Yanga was a working woolshed and only 2km south of the Sturt Highway, TO FIND OUT MORE up until 2005. With an abundance of spend the day picnicking or perhaps settle For further information, including stunning scenery and subject matter, even in for a few nights in the campground. detailed maps and directions, visit the most novice photographer will have no This open woodland, teeming with dryland nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/yanga- problem capturing beautiful images; be it bird species, serves to show what diverse national-park. the twinkling morning dew or the setting sun landscapes are on offer at Yanga..